The Story Behind These Seeds: The mustard seed is used in parables found in the Gospels. Parables are a story that illustrates an instructive lesson or religious truth through comparisons in everyday life. It is generally agreed upon that the mustard tree in the parable is the black mustard plant that we know today. From such a tiny seed, grows a significant sized bush in a relatively short amount of time.

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Preparation Plant 3 weeks

before your last frost date

Growing Season

Need 2 inches of water per week

Harvest & Eat Sauté the leaves of the plant much like

you would for spinach or kale

BIBLE Read and learn about

the meaning being illustrated with the

mustard seed

1LITERARY STYLES

Learn more about parables, then write

one yourself

2CULINARY

Learn more about the mustard plant and how

to use it

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Mustard Seed Matthew 13:31-32, 17:20; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19, 17:5-6

Lessons & Connections Which books of the Bible make up the Gospels? Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

What does the parable of the mustard seed teach us? The parable of the mustard

seed explains that the disciples of Christ began with just a few men but grew to countless

numbers across the earth. It also illustrates that we should be small like the seed, and by doing

so, we can grow in virtue to such an extent that

even the winged creatures of heaven will seek rest in our branches. This story points to the

inner mystery of transformation in the world. “The parables are not concerned simply with

things that grow, but with the human planting

and harvesting of those things.” (Reardon)

What are the Types of Writing Styles

and Literary Devices? The 4 writing styles are expository, descriptive, persuasive, and

creative writing. Can you recognize each of these

styles and then write something using each of them? What is a literary device? They are literary

techniques used to add meaning for the listener or reader. Can you name some literary devices?

Parables, allegory, alliteration, and irony are all literary devices. How would you use these in a

story?

How can we use the mustard plant in our kitchen? The leaves can be harvested and cooked in a myriad of ways. Can you find a

recipe on the internet or in a cookbook that you

can make for dinner? At the end of the growing season, how can you use the mustard seeds? You

can learn how to save them for the following growing season and you can also learn how to

make homemade mustard.

What other vegetables are related to mustard greens? All vegetables in the genus Brassica

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Parable of the Mustard Seed: The Kingdom of Heaven ~ Search: Orthodox Catechism Project Parable of the Mustard Seed

The Parables by Archbishop Dmitri

The Parables and the Structure of the World by Fr. Patrick Reardon ~ antiochian.org/node/18050

Brassicas: Cooking the World’s Healthiest Vegetables by Laura Russel

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